Chapter 4

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A/N: Wow… So it's been 3 years since I updated this story and I cannot apologise enough to those of you who waited so patiently. My life has just been so busy and the time I used for writing had to be used for other things. But here I am, eventually updating and I'm so happy and excited about it. So here you are- an incredibly late chapter 4.

The leaves on the trees had rusted and clung desperately onto their branches as fall swept over the land. The air was tainted with a slight chill and Lillian paused from her work frequently to rub her hands together, banishing that all too familiar numbness.

Harvest was always the busiest time in Konohana and the farmer had barely had a moment to herself trying to meet her quota. She awoke before sunrise and went to bed well after it had once again set, sorting the good crops from the bad and lugging them into crates for shipping. She had become a social recluse, although it was a fact she realised she had to accept in order for her business to continue to thrive.

During her work each day her mind frequently pondered what might have been happening in Bluebell. Was this a busy time with animals too? Was their town as beautiful as Konohana during this season? What sort of fall flowers would be for sale?

With that thought Lillian let out a deep sigh. She had been so tied down with work she hadn't been to the mountain in ages. She could almost feel the hot summer sun beating down on her face, hear his melodic laugh echoing in her ears…

She dropped her sickle and took a step back from her work, clapping her hands together and watching the dry dirt crumble back to the ground.

So many times she had sat down to write to him…but the words just weren't there. Cam made it seem so easy, he knew just what to say, however Lillian lacked that confidence.

"What if he thinks I don't have time for him anymore? … What if he thinks he's done something wrong? … What if he's forgotten about me? It probably never meant that much to him anyway…" She thought to herself. Her mind constantly replayed what it felt like when he touched her, almost as if a surge of electricity shot up her arm and straight into her heart causing it to momentarily stop.

She stared into the dirt below her, deep in thought and her mind a trance.

"If I could just find some ti-"

"Lillian!" An exuberant voice yelled from across the field. Her muscles clenched and eyelids fluttered as she shook herself from her thoughts. A burgundy coloured figure stood several yards away waving both hands in the air before running towards her with a huge grin. "Lillian…" He said again, this time slightly out of breath.

It had been days since Lillian has actually exchanged in a proper conversation with anyone, and at that moment her tired body seemed to ache just a little bit more at the thought. However, not wanting to be rude, she plastered a smile on her face and welcomed her visitor as graciously as ever.

"Dirk!" She responded "What brings you by? Is anything the matter?"

He came to a sharp halt in front of her, clasping his hands together and rocking back slightly on his heels. His cheeks and nose were tinted pink from the cold air, his hair slightly dishevelled from what was clearly a brisk journey over.

"Oh no, nothing the matter, I um… I just wanted to um…" He caught her gaze briefly but broke it quickly after, his cheeks getting pinker by the second. She couldn't help but giggle at his bashfulness, he was just so innocent to her, something she couldn't resist. "Well I was just passing by and I was wondering if you…"

Lillian tilted her head trying to make eye contact with him once more. A chuckle escaped his lips and he raised his hand to rub the back of his head, his eyes focused on his shiny leather shoes. She couldn't be sure where this was going, I mean he always was a random type of person, always some crazy tale to tell, or convoluted question to ask, but his sudden bought of shyness definitely intrigued her.

"Well you see tomorrow is the Moon viewing festival and I was wondering, I mean you don't have to, you definitely don't have to, I mean it really is only if you want to and maybe somebody's already asked you and like that's fine too or maybe you just want to go by yourself or maybe you don't want to go at all but if you do and you want to go with someone I was thinking maybe you could come with me I mean like accompany me like what I mean is you and I-"

Lillian laughed and raised a hand for him to stop rambling. Dirk's face froze with an expression of concentration and almost panic as a result of his verbal avalanche, quickly replaced by a grimace of embarrassment as he began to laugh along with her.

Flattered by the notion that the adorable delivery boy had built up the courage to ask her out after many failed attempts at flirting with her in the past, she quickly realised it would be a sin to decline his offer. After all it had been a while since she'd been on a proper date and she could think of many worse people to spend the festival with.

Dirk waited in anticipation, his teeth beginning to gnaw at his bottom lip with the realisation that she may turn him down and then he'd have to live with the humiliation of being rejected by the only girl he'd ever really had a shine for.

"I'd love to Dirk." She said after a few moments, which seemed to him like an eternity. She watched as his jade coloured eyes lit up and that infectious grin spread over his face once more. His hands clenched into fists and he opened his mouth to say the words which failed to come out.

Lillian began to laugh again. It always was a self-esteem boost to see how child-like he became around her, always wanting to please. And for that split second, Cam had left her mind. Almost as if his life in Bluebell was oblivious to her, the way the people of Konohana expected it to be, for that moment she was focused on Dirk and his endearing reaction to her acceptance.

After chatting back and forth a while longer, a quick glance at his watch saw Dirk realise he'd better be on his way, the weight in his satchel another reminder of the deliveries he still had to complete.

"I best be off," He said begrudgingly, "I need to make it to Bluebell and back before dark." And that's all it took. The image of that tall, handsome, laid back florist was once again polluting her thoughts and all of a sudden the moon viewing festival with Dirk seemed less attractive. She was committed now though and reminded herself that it was only one night. "I'll pick you up at seven!" He beamed, Lillian smiling and nodding in approval, and then he was gone.

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A strong ray of golden evening light shone through the window pane and onto the pages of endless text on botany. One hand supporting his head, the other flicking jadedly over the page, the florist debated on whether or not to finish up his research early and head for the mountain.

"Maybe she'll be there tonight…" He thought to himself before shaking his head at how ridiculous he was letting himself get. He'd never been so distracted by a girl before and he just couldn't come to terms with it. He'd never met a girl he was able to talk to like that… one that understood him… one that found him funny and interesting.

There was so much he liked about her, from her positive attitude to the way her bangs blew across her forehead in the wind.

"She can also be incredibly annoying!" his mind fought back… but strangely he liked that about her too. If only he could just go to Konohana, just stroll on in and march up to her front door and surprise her. "What does it matter what they think anyway? What's the worst they can do?" He thought… But of course he wouldn't want to disappoint Rutger.

He imagined her smiling face when she saw him. He imagined what she'd say and how she'd invite him in for tea and how he'd have another opportunity to get to know her better. He then also imagined the reception he'd get from the other Konohana residents when they learnt of his arrival.

He slammed his book over in frustration and pushed himself back from his desk. He glanced at the clock on the wall above his bed and then out the window at the setting sun.

"Maybe somebody does just need to take the first step," He thought "Maybe I could make them see…"

Practically convinced that he was ready and willing to march into Konohana, regardless of the consequences and with little care towards whether he was making a rash decision, he reached for his flat cap and started towards the door. However just as he reached for the handle, the door began to open towards him.

A petite blonde haired woman poked her face around the door and looked up at him with surprise.

"Oh… Heading out somewhere?" She asked with a tone of slight disappointment. She pushed the door open a little more to reveal the tray of tea and snacks she carried. She was much smaller than him, perhaps measuring around five feet tall and she blushed heavily as his eyes met hers. Cam sighed and forced a small smile. He liked Laney, she always made such an effort and just wanted to take care of him every opportunity she got. She was very like him in many ways. A perfectionist and appreciated beautiful things. She was also very beautiful herself but Cam was never one to give in to looks.

"Not really." He replied, removing his cap from his head once more and retreating back to his desk. With much delight to hear so, she followed him, placing the tray down on the surface and lifting the pot to pour his tea.

"It's a lovely evening. Nippy though." She said in an attempt to make conversation. "I thought some tea might warm you up." She pushed the small, intricately painted teacup towards him and took a step back awaiting praise.

"Thank you, Laney. How thoughtful." That was enough for her and she grinned with enchantment. She paused a moment more in case he happened to say something else, which of course he did not due to his hasty plans of reconciling the towns being foiled.

"I'll see you later then." She sang, her voice similar to that of a tiny bell ringing.

When the door closed behind her, Cam let his head fall into his hands and rubbed with frustration at his tired eyes.

"It was a stupid plan anyway… Nothing will change their minds." He grumbled to himself in a defeated manner. He felt so trapped, and at times blamed Lillian for it. Before she came it never occurred to him. He never realised how restricted he truly was.

He took a sip of tea and felt the hot liquid caress his tense and agitated body.

"It probably never meant that much to her anyway." He thought, and opened his textbook once more.

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